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I’ve been reading your site for weeks while comparing diamonds at JamesAllen, other places online and a few local stores and am a little overwhelmed. My total budget is around $4500 and I’m leaning towards the setting below which leaves about $3800 for the stone. Will be a round diamond, white metal solitaire for sure. I’d really appreciate seeing your suggestions on the best diamond.
Also…I know your expertise is in diamonds and not settings and I get the impression you think platinum is over priced but ignoring price do you have a preference for 14k vs 18k white gold? Local stores all seem to offer 14k standard but a lot of people online seem to think 18k is better because it’s more expensive though slightly less durable. The price is negligible between the two and I’d be happy to upgrade to platinum if its actually better but I’m really not sure what the best option is… My girlfriend works in a school and hardly ever does any manual labor or yard work if that factors into the durability equation.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to your input.
I would recommend the 14k. It will give you a drop more money on the diamond, and you can get this:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-251632?a_aid=dmnd1357
What do you think?
It looks great, thanks! I’ll let you know what she says when I give it to her.
Sounds good. Keep me posted.
Thanks again for your help. I presented her the ring in a homemade wooden box as we watched the sun rise on new year’s day on the beach. Of course she said yes! We both love the ring.
Thanks for writing and letting us know. I’m delighted that you were pleased with our help. We wish you and your partner a life of happiness and fulfillment.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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